Rubber Tracks

I usually just get a couple of my physics books and set them on the tracks on a table and leave them there for a couple days and that takes care of that

Hmmm, I've never had much success with hot tap water on vinyl tracks; they barely softened the tracks let alone melted them....??? 

However, I've had success pinning the tracks vertically  to a piece of cardboard and setting it out in the warm sun for a couple of hours.  Depends on the temperature....winter might not be the best time for this method   If not, try using a hair dryer set at low temp.  The key is to pin the tracks at both ends with enough tension to keep them straight WITHOUT stretching the tracks.  Hold or set the cardboard with the tracks vertically and slowly apply heat from a distance and moving closer until they soften a bit.  Use your hand as a guide...if its too hot for your fingers, its too hot for the tracks!  I accidentally ruined a T-34 vinyl track by using the high setting!

Hopefully you'll find a method that works for you!  Good luck!

Try looping them "inside-out" off the model first.

Well, it wasn't hot tap water, it was boiling tap water, lol!

You have to be careful with that approach.  I did that once and the tracks shrunk length-wise.  They shrunk enough that they no longer fit on the tank.

-Jesse